What kid likes to look at the same old lunch every day? Sandwiches, sandwiches, always, sandwiches! How about something different? Why not put something into that lunch box that tantalizes, that inspires, that knocks the socks off your kids - or at least makes your kid want to eat his or her own lunch. No more trading lunches. The lunch in his or her box is going to be so wonderful, it won't get traded.

Start with a wrap. Into that wrap will go a variety of combinations. For a peanut butter wrap, add to peanut butter, fresh sliced bananas, strawberries, pineapple, or all three. If more sweetener is needed, drizzle a bit of honey or agave nectar sweetener over the fruit before wrapping.

For a Mexican wrap, make a spread of avocado, lemon juice, and Mexican seasonings. Add shredded cheese, shredded chicken, chopped tomatoes, copped green onions or chiles, fresh chopped cilantro, and lettuce. It's a one of a kind meal.

Lunch box fruit needs to be of the kind a kid will eat. Kids will eat sliced apples dipped in a peanut butter/real maple syrup mixture. Kids will eat fresh sliced peaches or fresh blueberries. A peeled and segmented orange is more likely to be eaten than one left in its peel.

Crunchy snacks seem to be desired. How do you get a crunchy snack kids will eat, that isn't loaded with fat and isn't highly processed? You get a whole-grain cracker and top it with cracker sized slices of cheese and sliced meats.

Beverages range from vegetable juices, to fruit juices, to dairy beverages, to bottled water. Maybe a thermos with an herbal tea will be unique enough to pass the test.

Last of all, special notes make an impact. A cute comic or a sweet note added to the lunch box can make mealtime extra special. Put it together with an enticing, nutritious lunch, and you have a winning deal.

Learn more about this author, J. Ellen.
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